Photo: Alpsdake / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelope
Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 770 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
- Genus Mareca
- Species penelope
Quick facts
- Weight
- 770 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Eurasian Wigeon is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Eurasian Wigeon is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope) is a member of the Anatidae family, within the order Anseriformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL n Eurasia.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 770 g, with a wing length of about 25.1 cm and a tail of around 9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 16.3 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Eurasian Wigeon?
The Eurasian Wigeon is a large bird that weighs around 770 g.
Where does the Eurasian Wigeon live?
The Eurasian Wigeon is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL n Eurasia, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Eurasian Wigeon belong to?
The Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the Eurasian Wigeon eat?
The Eurasian Wigeon is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Eurasian Wigeon migrate?
The Eurasian Wigeon is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Eurasian Wigeon endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Eurasian Wigeon make?
1 real field recording of the Eurasian Wigeon — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Eurasian Wigeon's range?
The Eurasian Wigeon has a mapped global range of about 16.3 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Anatidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Waterbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern